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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Hips forced a 'bunker mentality' | Hips forced a 'bunker mentality' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government had a "bunker mentality" on Home Information Packs (Hips) prior to Tuesday's policy climbdown, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says. | The government had a "bunker mentality" on Home Information Packs (Hips) prior to Tuesday's policy climbdown, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says. |
| Michael Coogan, head of the CML, said housing minister Yvette Cooper had not "managed things well" and must "learn from mistakes." | Michael Coogan, head of the CML, said housing minister Yvette Cooper had not "managed things well" and must "learn from mistakes." |
| It comes as Tory leader called for Ms Cooper's resignation saying the Hips policy had "completely collapsed". | |
| On Tuesday the government announced a two-month delay to the start of Hips. | On Tuesday the government announced a two-month delay to the start of Hips. |
| Initially, only four-bedroom homes will have to have a Hip. | Initially, only four-bedroom homes will have to have a Hip. |
| There was a bunker mentality... The compelling reasons we gave for delay were ignored Michael Coogan, CML | There was a bunker mentality... The compelling reasons we gave for delay were ignored Michael Coogan, CML |
| The government said that when resources are in place Hips would be extended to other types of property. | The government said that when resources are in place Hips would be extended to other types of property. |
| Public row | Public row |
| The run-up to the announcement of a delay to Hips was marked by a very public row between the government and housing industry groups. | The run-up to the announcement of a delay to Hips was marked by a very public row between the government and housing industry groups. |
| Bodies representing estate agents, mortgage lenders, surveyors, banks and solicitors all called for a delay to the introduction of Hips. | Bodies representing estate agents, mortgage lenders, surveyors, banks and solicitors all called for a delay to the introduction of Hips. |
| They argued there were not enough energy assessors in place to ensure a successful start to Hips. | They argued there were not enough energy assessors in place to ensure a successful start to Hips. |
| Last week, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) turned up the heat by seeking a judicial review of Hips. | Last week, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) turned up the heat by seeking a judicial review of Hips. |
| This review was cited by the government as a key reason for a delay. | This review was cited by the government as a key reason for a delay. |
| PACKS WILL INCLUDE Evidence of titleCopies of planning, listed building or building regulations consentsA local searchGuarantees for any work on the propertyAn energy performance certificate. Q&A: Home packs A home inspector's tale However, at the time that the review was announced the housing minister brushed aside criticism as coming from "vested interests". | PACKS WILL INCLUDE Evidence of titleCopies of planning, listed building or building regulations consentsA local searchGuarantees for any work on the propertyAn energy performance certificate. Q&A: Home packs A home inspector's tale However, at the time that the review was announced the housing minister brushed aside criticism as coming from "vested interests". |
| 'Mistakes' | 'Mistakes' |
| Mr Coogan told the BBC that the government's approach had been wrong. | Mr Coogan told the BBC that the government's approach had been wrong. |
| "It was not managed well," he said. "There was a failure to recognise that those bodies in favour of Hips also had a vested interest. | "It was not managed well," he said. "There was a failure to recognise that those bodies in favour of Hips also had a vested interest. |
| "There was a bunker mentality... The compelling reasons we gave for delay were ignored. | "There was a bunker mentality... The compelling reasons we gave for delay were ignored. |
| I know the walls of the bunker are pretty thick but haven't you noticed this policy has completely collapsed? David Cameron to Tony Blair | |
| "Instead the government ploughed on and chose divide and rule, seeing all the bodies that had real concerns separately." | "Instead the government ploughed on and chose divide and rule, seeing all the bodies that had real concerns separately." |
| As for whether Ms Cooper's credibility with housing market bodies had been irrevocably damaged, Mr Coogan said that the industry "has to work with the ministers we are given". | As for whether Ms Cooper's credibility with housing market bodies had been irrevocably damaged, Mr Coogan said that the industry "has to work with the ministers we are given". |
| But he hoped the government would "learn from its mistakes". | But he hoped the government would "learn from its mistakes". |
| The Department for Communities and Local Government has been approached for its response. | The Department for Communities and Local Government has been approached for its response. |
| 'Chaos' | |
| At Wednesday's Prime Minister's Question Time, Tory leader David Cameron called for Housing Minister Yvette Cooper to be sacked. | |
| He said Ms Cooper had led MPs to believe that there were 1,100 registered home inspectors ready to go. | |
| "Yesterday, it was admitted that there were less than half of that. Never mind what the next Prime Minister's going to do. What on earth is she still doing in her job?" | |
| He added: "I know the walls of the bunker are pretty thick but haven't you noticed this policy has completely collapsed? | |
| "You said you have so much to do in your dying weeks - yet HIPs are in chaos." | |
| Mr Blair said over 3,000 assessors had passed their exams and could now get accreditation. | |
| He told Mr Cameron: "You say you support energy performance certificates. Isn't it sensible to make their introduction at the point of sale for a house so that the buyer can see what measures they can take to protect the environment. | |
| "After all 25% of CO2 emissions come from households. Why are you opposed to this measure if you support EPCs?" |